VATICAN CITY — In a surprise move, the Vatican announced late Thursday that while priests cannot marry, they can date.

“We invite priests to test the singles market, as long as they keep it above the neck and don’t make long-term commitments,” says a spokesman.

A dozen priest-dating sites with names like EverDating.com sprung up immediately, with tens of thousands of priests offering photos and descriptions of their likes and dislikes to potential paramours. Most offered a disclaimer that said they could develop a significant platonic relationship, but marriage was off limits.

“It’s completely natural for men and women to want to date, but marriage is strictly forbidden for the man of God,” says a Vatican spokesman. •